Our coach has developed a leak in the slide bladder, so I called both FOT and MOT for repair quotes. I was shocked at the difference. One shop quoted 7200 and the other quoted 4800. I am not going to say which quote is from which dealer because I am not trying to bad mouth anyone. I am just posting this as a reminder that before you take your coach anywhere for high dollar repairs, make sure you get more than one quote. That $2400 difference will buy a lot of fuel.
Mine was cheaper than that at HWH last year
Looked up bill for bladder repair on the living room slide it was $3252 in July of 22', including manifold.
With the the 2000 model you have to remove the whole slide for the repair. On yours you can push the slide inward to do the repair. So should be easier/cheaper?
Does either quote include replacing the slide manifold block? If it hasn't been replaced already, the newer bladders require it. That alone can be $1K of the cost, I believe.
Replacement slide bladder issue (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=37590.msg362038#msg362038)
Replaced bedroom slideout bladder at Oregon MotorCoach (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=32588.msg292469#msg292469) (note figures are from 6 years ago)
Yes, both quotes include the new manifold. I am not complaining about the cost or looking for an option other than going to Nacogdoches. I am just posting a reminder that prices can vary greatly between MOT and FOT.
To be honest, I would expect the factory to be more expensive.. Really no different than going to the Ford dealer or a local repair shop - generally the dealers are significantly higher.
I have MoT do the majority of my service work when I am passing thru in the fall on my way to Tucson and have been very happy with them. The exception for me is HWH - since they are only a couple hours from me and their work is outstanding on anything HWH..
Do we know that the factory was the higher quote?
When I was talking to the factory about bladders the parts guy told me that them make the bladder up from master roll as they go. I would think that would be cheaper but I do not know who was the cheapest. I do know MOT charges $10.00 more per hour.
Always be careful when comparing quotes, especially on slide outs or other large jobs. In the case of a slide bladder repair, there are "blocks" that may or may not be replaced in that job, and if one quote had them and one did not, the cost would vary significantly.
I have no idea if the quotes were in writing and equivalent (if so the price delta is pretty astounding!) - in any event - best practice suggestion - always get quotes in writing as hard estimates so you know what you are getting on any job requiring this much investment, and any "upcharges" above the estimate should require owner approval.
Tim Fiedler
Generally speaking we rarely go with the highest bid or price on anything.... But, we also never go with the cheaper price either. Too cheap is a red flag to me.
On our coach Foretravel gets the benefit of doubt usually.